Washing machine



A ril 20, 1943. A. c. SCHMELZER WASHING MACHINE Filed Nov. 29, 1939 9Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. HNTUN C. SCHMELZER MNBR April 20, 1943. A.v c.SCHMELZER WASHING MACHINE Filed Nov. 29, 1939 9 heets-Sheot 2 0 mg m Nb8 v INVENTOR flNTU/V C. SOW/[LZER BY AITO P Q 1943- A. c. SCHMELZER2,317,117

WASHING MACHINE flNTO/V C SCHNELZER April 20, 1943- A. c. SCHMELZER I2,317,117

WASHING MACHINE flNTON 6- SCHMELZE'R Y ATTO EY.

April 20, 1943. A. c. SCHMELZER WASHING MACHINE Filed Nov. 29,1939:

9 SheetsSheet 5' om mw 5 WM. mm nu p fi 3 m mm MM 3 mN. mm in 1 I: J\|rU E Q M k mm Y mw a 6 4? Q Q. 3 mm v R @w W m mi m J. N Ln INVENTOR.HNTON C- SGHNELZER 5 4 44. ATTO BY.

April 20, 1943. A. c. SCHMELZER WASHING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 FiledNov. 29, l 39 J INVEOR.

mm M n 6 A G N m n A ril 20, 1943. A. c. SCHMELZER WASHING MACHINE FiledNov. 29, 1939 9 Sheets-Sheet "r Lk-LE 22W Q3 c E x N I v Q MATH) April20, 1943. A, c; SCHMELZER 2,317,117

WASHING MACHINE Filed Nov. 29, 1959 9 Sheets-Sheet s IHH . INVENTOR.

IY/YTON C. SJHHEL'ZER L I ATTO EY.

April 20, 1943. A, c. SCHMELZER 2,317,117

WASHING MACHINE Filed Nov. 29, 1939 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 R. R 1 Y. mm mi m Ma 1. x1ll N A 1 1 E w 3w Wk) 1 W w wmowhw 3N IH A mm 3 x 1 a Q 1 \1 b5m: Hm N w w Nb m H N. +9 +ww$k +3 m8 X H M 1 1 QH .OWN PNW &\ 1 pwm wPatented Apr. 2( 1943 WASHING momma Anton'C. Schmelzer, Cleveland, Ohioc Application November 29, 1939, Serial No. 306,590

4 Claims.

This invention relates in general to washing machines for domestic useand more particularly to so-called combination washing machinesembodying a washing compartment anda drying compartment forcentrifugally extracting water from. articles washed in the washingcompartment, and has for its principal objects the provision of acompact, economically constructed and highly eflicient washing machineof the type referred to, which machine embodies new,,improved andsimplified operating mechanism for effecting washing and dryingoperations, new, improved and simplified mechanism for starting theoperating mechanism for both the washing and drying operations, and newand improved construction of the washing and drying compartmentspermitting connection of these compartments to .a unitary structure ofutmost rigidity and simplicity.

In addition theinvention has other marked improvements and superioritieswhich radically distinmiish it from presently known combination washingmachines. These improvements-or superior characteristics embodyingcertain novel features of construction and combination of parts andcertain new steps in uniting specifically built washing and dryingcompartments to a unitary structure are clearly set forth in thefollowing specification and the appended claims; and a preferred form ofembodiment of the invention is hereinafter shown with reference to theaccompanying drawings forming part of the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through a combination washingmachine according to the invention, the section being taken on line l--lof Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the combination washing machine shown in Fig.1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view through one end of thecombination washing machine, the section being taken on line 3-3 of Fig.2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view through the middle portion of thecombination washing machine, the section being taken on line 4-.4 ofFig. 2.

Figs. 5 through '7 are fragmentary sectional views of the upper portionsof the washing and drying compartments and the bracket interconnectingthese compartments, thus Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view throughthe washing compartment,

Fig. 6 a sectional view through the connecting bracket, and I Fig.7 afragmentary sectional view through the drying compartment.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view through the flanged upper portionof the washing compartment, the section being taken on line 8-8 of Fig.2.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a stiffening bracket for the flanges ofthe washing and drying compartments.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the connecting bracket for the washingand drying compartments.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view through the gear boxstructure of the washing machine shown in Fig. 1, the section beingtaken on line ll.ll of said'Fig. 1.

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view through the gear box structure ofthe washing machine, the section being-taken on line I2-i2 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is another. vertical sectional view throughthe gear boxstructure of the combination washing machine, the section being taken online 13-43 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 14 is a horizontal sectional view through a somewhat modified andsimplified gear box structure for the combination washing machine.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary sectional view partly in elevation showing theadjustable attachment of the modified gear box structure of Fig. 14 tothe frame or base member of the combination washing machine.

Fig. 16 is a vertical sectional view through the modified gear boxstructure shown in Fig. 14, the section being taken on line 16-46 ofsaid Fig. i'l shows'a diagrammatic view of the operating mechanism forthe washing compartment and Fig. 18 a similar diagrammatic view of saidmechanism in another working position.

Figs. 19 and 20 are sectional views through the clutch mechanism foreffecting a slip cou- Fig. 22 is a plan view of a one lever operatedmechanism for both the washing machine and dryer mechanism.

Fig. 23 is a front view of the one lever operated controlling mechanismshown in Fig. 22, and

Fig. 24 is a fragmentary side view of the opcrating handle member andits coupling with the on lever operated controlling mechanism shown inFigs. 22 and 23.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, reference numeral 2denotes a flanged base member supported on legs 3 riveted or otherwisesuitably secured to the peripheral flange or wall 4 of said base member.Base member 2 has arranged in its top face 5 circular recesses 6 and.supports in these recesses cylindrically shaped,

flanged tubs 1 and 8, which tubs form the washer and dryer compartmentsand are rigidly secured to each other and base member 2 in a mannerhereinafter to be described.

Washing operations in the washing compartment are effected by means ofan oscillatory agitator 9 mounted-for movement about a vertical shaft 8,and drying operations in the drying compartment are effected by means ofa coneshaped clothes basket I6 rotatably mounted in said compartmentupon a basket drive shaft H' in said compartment and consisting of upperand lower portions l2 and l3 respectively. Portions l2 and '3 are formedwith outwardly extending flanges l4 and I6 secured together in slightlyspaced relation by means of rivets l6 so as to form arcuate slots l1between said portions and permit of escape of water from basket l duringdrying operations. The vertical shaft 6' and the basket drive shaft IIare driven by a motor l8 supported below base member 2 and ber, has itslower end 2| joumaled in ball bearings 22 mounted in acup-shapedextension 23 of said gear box, and has its upper portion 24 journaled inball bearings 25 mounted on a tube 26, which tube is rigidly secured tothe gear box I! and the base member 2.

The upper end of the thus rotatably mounted basket drive shaft I lmounts a cone-shaped male adapter 21, rigidly fixed to said shaft, andthis adapter co-operates with a cone-shaped female adapter 28 suitablysecured to lower portion i3 of basket [0 and adapted to sleeve over andsnugly receive male adapter 21. As the skirt portion 29 of adapter 21 isoutwardly flared or beveled similarly to the adapter 28,- a tightremovable fit between the parts can be had by merely pressing theclothes basket and its adapter 28 down over the upper end of the shaft lI and its adapter 21. The 'lower portion l3 of basket [0 is enclosedwithin an inner tank or apron 36 which substantially conforms to theconfiguration of and is spaced from ,the basket. This apron is fluidtightly secured at its lower, inwardly flanged end 3| to the top of thebase member 2 and the upper end 32 of the apron terminatw within thedownwardly extended flange i of clothes basket l6.

Rotation of the basket causes the water to ride up the outwardly flaredsides of the lower half i3 d the bolket and out through the arcuateslots I! and then down into tub 8, downwardly extended flanges I4 and I5effectively preventing any water from entering the space 33 between theapron and the basket, and in consequence all danger of water reachingthe ball bearings 22 and 25 is eliminated. Furthermore, the rotation ofbasket I6 is not retarded by contact with the water and suds'extractedfrom the clothes.

Water thrown from basket l6 passes through a drain 34 of tub 8 to andthrough a two-way valve 35, the inlet 36 of which is coupled with saiddrain and the outlet 33 of which is coupled with a pump 40 (a propellerpump being shown, however, any other conventional pump, such as acentrifugal pump, may be used), to

said pump and is discharged from the pump through a hose (not shown),all as now generally practiced. Two-way valve 35 has its other inlet 31coupled with the drain 39 of tub I to permit of proper discharge ofwater from each of the two compartments in accordance with the positionof the valve. A horizontal shaft 4! (see Figs. 14 and 16), carrying atits inner end a bevel gear 42, in turn meshing with a bevel gear on thestem 44 of the valve 88, eflects proper setting of the valve and suchshaft may readily be rotated by a handle (not shown).

The described washing and drying apparatus of the combination washingmachine is driven by motor I 8 by means of a driving mechanism arrangedin flanged gear box I9 so as to efiect actuation of the washing anddrying apparatus singly or combined. Thus, motor i8, by means ofa'flexible coupling 45, is coupled with one end of a drive shaft 46,which shaft extends its other end through gear box 19 into-a housing 41of pump 40 and carries a propeller 48 for said pump. Drive shaft 46 ismounted in a bearing 49 and a sleeve member 50, which member is fixedlysupported in gear box l9 and carries two bearings 52 and 53 for saidshaft 46. In addition, drive shaft 46 mounts a male release clutchmember 64 of a release clutch 54' slidably and non-rotatably secured tosaid shaft and co-opcrating with a female release clutch member 66forming an integral part of a spiral gear 56 rotatably mounted on sleevemember 56 by means of -bearings 51, 68. A coiled spring 69, compressedbetween a cup 66 fixed to shaft 46 and the flange 6| of the male releaseclutch member 64, forces said latter clutch member toward and intoengagement with the female release clutch member 55, and thrust washers62 take up any end thrust on spiral gear' 56. This spiral gear mesheswith a spiral gear 64 fixed to one end of an idler shaft 65, whichlatter shaft is mounted at a right angle to shaft 46 and extends belowsaid shaft. Spiral gear 64 is provided with a hub, shaped to form oneclaw momber 66 of a claw clutch 61, and the other end of the idler shafthas fixedly secured thereto the one claw member 68 of a second clawclutch 69.

When motor i8 is running, the drive shaft 46 through release clutch 54and spiral gears 66 and 64 effects continuous rotation of idler shaft65, which shaft may be selectively coupled with the mechanism fordriving shaft 9' for agitator '9 and drive shaft II for doublecone-shaped clothes basket Ill. The mechanism for driving shaft 9'includes a worm gearing 10 having a worm 1| axially aligned with idlershaft 65 and mounted in bearings I2, 73 anda worm wheel 14 Journaledupon a stud shaft 15, which shaft in turn is fixedly secured to bottomwall 18 of gear box I8. This worm wheel actuates upon a segmental gear11 having a roller pin 18 fixedly secured to said gearand engaging withits roller 19 an elongated, inverted channel 80 in an extension 8I ofsegmental gear 11, thus effecting working engagement between worm wheel14 and segmental gear 11. The teeth 82 of segmental gear 11, which ispivotally mounted on a stud shaft 83 secured to gear box I9, mesh withthe teeth 83 of a gear 85 integrally formed at thejlower portion ofshaft 9'. This shaft is pivotally mounted on a stud shaft 84 secured togear box I9 and guided in a bearing 84' arranged at the top of a tubing85, which tubing is rigidly secured to the top plate 81 of said gearbox. It should be noted that the channeled extension 8I of segmentalgear 11 is angularly related to a line interconnecting the pivot pointsof worm wheel 14 and segmental gear 11 and that movements of segmentalgear 11 in opposite directions are unlike, so that shaft 8' moves withtwo unlike strokes during each revolution of worm wheel 14. 'This willbest be understood from inspection of the diagrams shown in Figs. 17 and18. In these diagrams Fig. 17 indicates at A the size of the angle ofrotation of worm wheel 14 necessary to effect one of the two oppositemovements of segmental gear 11 and Fig. 18 indicates at B the size ofthe angle of rotation of worm wheel 14 to effect the other one of thetwo opposite movements of segmental gear 11. It will be seen, that whilesegmental gear 11 moves through an angle C, theangle of rotation of wormwheel 14 is much larger in Fig, 11 than the angle of rotation B in Fig.18, so that worm wheel 14, when rotating at constant speed, effects twodifierent movements of segmental gear 11, one being faster than theother. Such movements effect different rotary speed of agitator 8 andmaterially influence washing operations, as oscillatory movements ofdifferent speed and time ratios effect washing action of an agitator andbreak up'undesirable harmonic oscillations of the washing liquid set inmotion by the agitator.

Worm H can readily be coupled with claw clutch member 85 on the hub ofspiral gear 84 by means of its extension 88 mounting the outer end of acollar 89 which is shaped to form the second claw member 90 for clawclutch 81. Collar 89 is slidably and non-rotatably engaged withextension 88 and can readily be shifted by means of a fork 9| pivotallymounted at 92.

The mechanism for driving ,basket drive shaft II includes a shaft 93axially." aligned with idler shaft 85 and mounted in bearings 94 and 85.Shaft 93 carries at its outer end a spiral gear 88 meshing with a spiralgear 91 on basket drive shaft II, and, in addition, carries at its innerend a collar 98, the outer side of which is shaped to form the'secondclaw member 98 for claw clutch 89. Collar 98 is slidably andnon-rotatably engaged with shaft 93 and can readily be shifted forengagement with claw member 68 by means of a fork I pivotally mounted atIOI.

When motor I8 is running, the described driving mechanism for agitator 9and clothes basket I0 continuously operates pump 40 and permits ofselectively oscillating agitator 9 and rotating clothesbasket I0 singlyor combined. Shocks caused by coupling operations of claw clutches 81and 88 or in any other way effect a disengagement of release clutch 54'.so as to avoid means of screws III.

strain on motor I8. The arrangement also permits of low rotary startingspeed of clothes basket I0, as the elastic form of coiled spring 59 ischosen to permit release of clutch 54 at any overload. It should bestated that any other type of clutches and release clutch may be usedfor structures shown, provided that such clutches are released in caseof shocks or overload.

The cylindrically shaped tubs 1 and 8 are rigid- ,ly secured to basemember 2, all as generally practiced. These tubs, see Figs. 2 to 10,have their top portions bent outwardly to provide skirtings I02, I03respectively, which partly surround the tubs and are shaped between thetubs to table-like straight edge top portions I04, I05 respectively,provided with downwardly extended, oppositely arranged flanges I06, I01.A T- shaped bracket member I08 having'its web I09 extended betweenflanges I08, I01 and following at its end IIO the outline of the shapeof the skirting covers the gap between top portions I04, I05 and issecured to flanges I06 and I01 by The described arrangement permits ofthe construction of a unitary combination machine of utmost rigidity andsimplicity, unites the tubs in a simple and economic manner and,additionally, provides a most desirable top plate with very smalladditional cost.

If desirable, as shown: skirtings I02, I03 can be stiffened by smallbrackets II! which preferably are riveted to the skirtings and, inaddition, skirting I03 at the outer end of tub 8 may be laterallyextended to form an enlarged table-like top I,I3, preferably ending in astraight edge H4 and covered by an angle bracket or molding II5 securedto the table-like top II3 by means of rivets IIB.

In the modified form of driving mechanism for agitator 9 and clothesbasket I0 disclosed in Figs. 14 and 16, motor H1 is arranged in axialalignment with and between a worm shaft H8 and a shaft II9 which carriesspiral gear 96 meshing with the spiral gear 91 on basket drive shaft II.Motor H1 is mounted on an elongated U-shaped bracket I20, the two endwalls I2I and I22 are secured to individual gear boxes I23, I24respectively, by means of slots I25. A flexible coupling I28 connectsshaft I21 of motor II1 with an extension I28 on worm shaft H8, and thisworm shaft drives the driving mechanism for agitator 9. Such drivingmechanism is substantially similar to the one described above and istherefore not described. However, in the present case the shaft mountingagitator 9 is split and has arranged between its split shafts I29 andI30 a clutch mechanism for selectively coupling split shaft I30 withsplit shaft I29. Such clutch mechanism embodies a housing I3I' which ismounted on top of gear box I23 by means of screws I32 and has extendedthereinto split shaft I29 formed at its lower end with teeth meshingwith segmental gear 11. At its top end split shaft I29 has rigidlyattached a slotted female coupling member I33 co-operating with acollar-like male coupling member I34 slidably and non-rotatably mountedon split shaft I30 supporting agitator 9. A yoke member I35, fixedlymounted on a shaft I38, in turn pivotally mounted in ear portions I31 onhousing I3I', effects shifting of collar-like male coupling member I34toward and away'from the female coupling member I33 and thus controlsactuation of agitator 9.

The other end of shaft I21 of motor II1 mounts shiftably andnon-rotatably connected therewith a release clutch arrangement I38including the female clutch member I39 of a cone-' consisting of acircular housing I42, a rotor I43 in housing I42 and brake shoes I44radially arrangedwithin housing I42opposite rotor I43. Brake shoes I44are forced into frictional engagement with rotor I43 when housing I42 isrotated and mercury within said housing enters by centrifugal forcebehind these brake shoes. The housing I42 is rigidly attached to a hubI45 which is provided with an enlarged head I46, and head I46 hasfixedly secured thereto'a collar I41 pressed uponsaid head. The hub I45and collar I41 are slidably and ,non-rotatably secured to shaft I21 bymeans of a key I48 sliding in a keyway I49 of shaft I21. Rotor I43 ofclutch MI is formed with a laterally extended hub I50 mounting femaleclutch member I38 which is rigidly fastened to said hub by means of apin II Clutch member I39 co-operates with a male cone clutch member I52pinned to shaft I I9 and this shaft which extends into gear box I24 hassecured to its inner end spiral gear 96 meshing with spiral gear 91 onbasket drive shaft II. In operation collar I41 effects shifting ofrelease clutch arrangement I38 toward and away from male cone clutchmember. I52 and effects throwing in and out of cone clutch I40. Whensaid cone clutch is thrown in, the sudden load on mercury release clutchI4I effects slippage between rotor I43 and housing I42, thus causingslow starting of rotation of the basket and thereafter gradual increasein the rotation of the clothes basket without excessive load on motorII1,

Automatic gradual starting of the rotation of clothes basket I0 is ofutmost importance in proper drying operations and avoids overloading ofmotor II1. Such starting of rotation of basket I0 can be accomplished byany suitable type of clutch, for example by a friction clutch, discclutch, planimeter drive, etc., the main object of all such releasedevices being to obtain slowstarting of rotation of basket I0 andthereafter gradual increase of the rotary speed of said basket until thespeeds of shaft I I9 and motor shaft I21 are synchronized.

Preferably, as shown, the driving mechanism is connected to flange 4 ofbase member 2 by means ofribbed spider arms I54, which arms at theirinner endsare secured to gear boxes I23, I24 by means of rivets I55 andcarry at their outer ends angle plates I56 adjustably secured to saidspider arms and fixedly connected to flange 4 by means of screws I51.Rubber pads I58 arranged between angle plates 156 and wall 4 of basemember 2 serve as sound deadening means to eliminate excessive vibrationof base member 2. The driving mechanism for agitator 9 and clothesbasket I0 is actuated by a single lever operating mechanism, see Figs.22 and 23. Such operating mechanism is mounted on a plate I59 secured totwo of the spider arms I54 by means of bolts I60. The single leveroperating mechanism consists of two oppositely arranged symmetricallyconstructed actuating devices I6I, I6I', each of which includes abracket member I62 secured to plate I59 by means of screws I63. Bracketratchet wheel I89 pivotally supported upon a shaft I10 and asubstantially inverted T-shaped ratchet lever I1I also pivotallysupported upon said shaft I10. The one horizontal arm I12 of saidT-shaped ratchet lever carries a spring pressed atchet pin I13, theother horizontal arm I14 of lever I1I is yieldingly coupled with bracketI62 by means of a spring I15 and cooperates with a stop post I16 toavoid undesired rangement I68, so as to effect simultaneous rotation ofthe ratchet wheelI 69 and cam I19 when ratchet lever "I is actuated byoperating lever I18. Cam I19 which is slightly larger than ratchet wheelI69 has its peripheral surface pro,- vided with a plurality ofalternately arranged shallow and keep curved recesses I and.I8I equal innumber to the teeth of ratchet wheel I69 and aligned therewith. Therecesses I80, I8I seat a roller I 82 on arm I83 of a rocking lever I84,which lever is pinned at I85 to a, shaft I86, in turn pivotally mountedin bearing I66 and thus impart oscillatory movements to said shaft I86when cam I19 is rotated together with Y ratchet wheel I69 and roller I82enters from yoke member I35 of clutch mechanism I3I, and

the movement of shaft I86 of actuating device I6I' effects shifting ofcone clutch I40 by means of a forked lever I90 secured to shaft I86,which lever engages with its forked end I9I a pin I92 at the end of alever I93 fixed to a shaft I94, which shaft is mounted in ears I95 onbracket I20 and has fixedly secured thereto a yoke I96 engaging with itsrollers I91 the recess I98 in collar I41.

Actuation of ratchet lever III by operating lever vI18 efiectsconnection and disconnection of clutch mechanism I3I and therewithstarting and stopping of agitator 9, clutch mechanism I3I being engagedwhen roller I82 rests in one of the deep recesses I8I and disengagedwhen roller I82 rests in one of the shallow recesses I80 in cam I19, andactuation of ratchet lever I1I' by said operating lever I18 effectsconnection and disconnection of cone clutch I40 and therewith startingand stopping of rotation of clothes basket I0, cone clutch I40 beingengaged when roller I82 rests in one of the deep recesses I8I' anddisengaged when roller I82 rests in one of the shallow recesses I80 incam I19. To'effect individual actuation of the actuating devicesIGI andI6I' the operating lever I 18, pivotally mounted at I 99 (see Fig. 24),embodies at its lower end a cross member 200 provided with slots 20I,20I, which slots engage with pins 202, 202' on ratchet levers I1I, I1I'respectively. It should be noted, that pins 202 and 202 engage the slotsMI and 20I' in symmetrical places, so as to permit individual actuationof each of the levers HI and HI without disturbance of the other ratchetlever and that the rollers I82, I 82' on rocking levers I84, I84 areyieldingly forced into engagement with the recesses in cams I19, I19 bysprings 203, 203 connected to the ends of rocking levers I84 I84 andplate I59.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a transmission for washing machines two parallel shafts, a gearbox including gearing for one of said shafts, a second gear boxincluding gearing for the other one of said shafts, an elongatedU-shaped bracket having its flanges secured to said gear boxes, and anelectric motor supported by said bracket, the opposite ends of the shaftof said motor being extended toward the flanges of said bracket andcoupled with one of the elements of each of the two gearings.

2. In a transmission for washing machines a gear box including a drivenshaft, 8. second gear box including a driven shaft, an elongated U-=shaped bracket with perforated flanges secured to said gear boxes so asto axially align their driven shafts and extend their shafts through theperforations in said flanges, an electric motor supported by saidbracket so as to align its shaft with said driven shafts, and meanscoupling the ends of said motor shaft with the driven shafts.

3. In a transmission for washing machines two parallel shafts, a gearbox with gearing coupled with one of said shafts, a second gear box withgearing coupled with the other one of said shafts, an elongated U-shapedbracket spacing said gear boxes and attached with its flanges thereto,an electric motor supported by said bracket to extend its shaftlengthwise of said bracket between said gear boxes, a slip couplinghaving its two coupling members secured to one end of said motor shaftand a gearing element of the first gear box, and means coupling theother end of the motor shaft with a gearing element of the second gearbox.

4. A transmission for washing machines as described in claim 2, whereinthe driven shaft of one of the gear boxes extends with its both endsthrough the wall of the gear box for coupling said shaft with said motorand providing a power- 20 take off for said gear box.

ANTON C. SCHMELZER.

